How to Make Pet Belly Bands

A pet belly band is an absorbent cloth belt worn around the lower abdomen of a male dog. Positioned correctly, it covers the tip of his penis to prevent urine from leaking onto furniture, carpet or other surfaces. For comfort and appropriate absorbency, smaller bands are used on smaller dogs and larger bands are used on larger dogs. Belly bands are inexpensive and simple to make. Although using a sewing machine makes the job faster, belly bands can also be sewn with a needle and thread.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil
  • Large piece of paper
  • Scissors
  • Ruler
  • Medium-weight woven fabric
  • Straight pins
  • Iron and pressing surface
  • Hook and loop garment closure, 2" square
  • Needle
  • Thread
  • Self-adhesive feminine hygiene pad
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure around your dog's lower abdomen, at the level of his penis. This will determine how long to make the belly band.

    • 2

      Draw a square on the large piece of paper with the sides five inches longer than the dog's abdomen measurement. Cut out the square with scissors. This will be your belly band sewing pattern.

    • 3

      Lay the fabric on a flat work surface. Trim off the fabric's selvage edge. Position the paper pattern on the fabric so the edges of the pattern are parallel with the finished edges of the fabric. Secure the pattern to the fabric by using straight pins on each corner and one pin every three or four inches on the sides of the fabric. Use scissors to cut along the edge of the pattern through the fabric.

    • 4

      Fold over a 1/2 inch edge on three sides of the fabric and press with a heated iron to prevent unfolding. Turn the fabric so the unfolded edge is closest to you. Starting with the unfolded edge, fold the fabric in thirds so that the unfolded edge is covered. Line up the edges and corners to make a perfect rectangle. Press the belly band with a heated iron. Pin the corners and sides to prevent shifting while you are sewing.

    • 5

      Sew around the edges of the belly band, using a running stitch, 1/4 inch from the edge.

    • 6

      Separate the hook and loop closure. Position the hook portion (smooth side-down) 1/4 inch from the end of the belly band, centered between the long edges of the band. Pin it and sew it securely in place. Turn the belly band over and position the loop portion (smooth side-down) 1/4 inch from the end of the belly band, centered between the long edges of the band. Pin it and sew it in place.

    • 7

      Cut a self-adhesive feminine hygiene pad in half. Remove the paper liner and press the pad into place in the center of the belly band. When putting the belly band on your dog, the pad should be positioned against the tip of your dog's penis and the closure should be over your dog's spine.